Presidential candidate Kamala Harris sent a video message to the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church’s General Conference, praising the church’s support and encouraging a focus on the future. It’s a church that has polled strongly for Democrats, with 92 percent of its members identifying with that party. “This is the most consequential election of our lifetime,” said Harris, who also thanked congregants for their “get-out-the-vote” efforts. “As the Gospel of Luke tells us, faith has the power to shine a light on those living in darkness and to guide our feet in the path of peace. In moments such as this, faith guides us forward. Faith in the promise of America: freedom, opportunity and justice – not for some, but for all,” she added. Harris appeared to be referring to a passage in Luke 1, where Zechariah is blessing his newborn son, John the Baptist. In verses 76-79, he says: “And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, to give knowledge of salvation to his people in the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Harris told congregants that they were facing two different visions for America, with the Democrat vision “focused on the future,” while Donald Trump and the GOP are “focused on the past.” “We are not going back. We are fighting for a future where no child has to grow up in poverty, where every senior can retire with dignity, and every person has the opportunity to own a home, start a business, and build intergenerational wealth,” she said. She described, “A future with affordable health care, affordable childcare and paid leave, and a future where we protect our most fundamental freedoms and rights, including the freedom to worship.”

Harris herself identifies as a Baptist, with a particular focus on the idea of social justice. “She has always understood that Jesus and justice go together. So, it’s not hard to see why she chose a church that has that kind of justice DNA,” said longtime friend Rev. Freddie D. Haynes III in a previous interview about her faith. “Her spirituality has been informed by a sense of justice for those who are othered, disadvantaged, and treated as second-class citizens.” Critics, however, were quick to note the irony of Harris addressing the Conference about equality, given the church had just upheld its ban on gay marriage earlier that day. Gay marriage and LGBTQ+ rights have been a major feature of Democrat party’s platform, with Harris voicing her support for transgender ideology and marriage equality. Supporters, however, viewed her comments about “not going back” as a subtle rebuke to the church’s vote. However, the Harris campaign has not responded to inquiries as to whether or not she was aware of the church’s vote before the video message was released. Representatives from the AME Church also did not respond to Fox News’s attempts at comment.